Toronto Transit Commission to install bacteria-killing copper on transit vehicles

Antimicrobial copper coatings are being installed on high-touch transit surfaces on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vehicles and more TransLink vehicles following a successful pilot phase.

According to TransLink, the conclusions from the pilot show the copper’s ability to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria on transit surfaces. This new round of testing seeks to confirm those results from the first phase in Vancouver by evaluating copper surfaces on more transit vehicles over a longer duration of time across two different regions. 

This trial, fully funded by Teck Resources Limited, will outfit copper on high-touch surfaces on several TTC buses, subway cars, and streetcars, as well as several TransLink buses and SkyTrain cars.

“Safety has always been the top priority for the TTC—and it’s important that both our employees and customers feel safe every time they’re on one of our vehicles," Richard J. Leary, Toronto Transit Commission CEO, said in a statement. "Participating in a pilot like this with our hospital partners is a real opportunity to look at new ways to curb the spread of infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of innovating and planning for the future. I’m proud that the TTC is working with Teck to do just that.”

This trial will test three types of products including functional copper surface layers, copper alloys, and copper decals. Copper products will be installed on buses, subway cars, and streetcars in the Greater Toronto Area as well as buses and SkyTrains in Metro Vancouver.

TransLink says the results of this trial could improve understanding of options for infection prevention for the transit industry and other industries that rely on shared public spaces.

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SOURCE: TransLink